Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy, Saffron Walden

In its own words: "Visiting our school, you will see the fundamental British Values are promoted through our ethos and values; the curriculum; and through our teaching of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC). We reinforce and promote the British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of different cultures and religions in a variety of ways."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, multi-sports, yoga, orchestra and chess.

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Thursday 12 November 2026 at 1.30pm and an open day on Wednesday 6 January 2027 at 1.30pm. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 92% of Year 6 pupils at Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 92% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 72% in reading and 83% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 26 families put Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy as their first choice and 43 named it as one of their preferences, for 27 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy are Duxford Church of England Community Primary School (2.7 miles, Good, 71% reading, 63% maths); St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School (3.2 miles, Good, 71% reading, 90% maths); R A Butler Infant School (3.7 miles, Good); and R A Butler Junior School (3.7 miles, Outstanding, 93% reading, 93% maths).

Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy is one of 2 schools run by Great Oak Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.

3.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 3.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (85%) and Mixed (9%).

In 2026, 21 pupils (11.9%) received SEN support and 2 (1.1%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy had 13 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Great Chesterford Rail Station, about 500 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St John's Cross (outside), 230 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 7 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Essex (97).

In 2024/25, Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy issued 1 suspension, 0.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.